TORONTO--(Marketwire - May 25, 2011) - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) and Highgate Holdings announced that the 575-room, full-service, Courtyard by Marriott located at 475 Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario has completed the Refreshing Lobby Renovation and maximum internet upgrade. The complete overhaul of the High Speed Internet System provides Fiber Optic 100 Mbps service, free to guests, that ensures one of the fastest internet connections available today. The downtown Toronto, Ontario hotel's guests can now connect to free wireless internet in guest rooms, and public areas. There are ample electrical outlets throughout the new lobby and Bistro specifically installed to power digital devices.

"Robust internet connectivity is critical to making our guest's life stress-free," said Ronit Keith, the downtown Toronto hotel's General Manager. Over the past several months the management has been working on upgrading the entire HSIA together with Guest-Tek, the new internet provider. Guest-Tek is the world's largest provider of High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA) -- the cornerstone of IP services for the business traveler. They deliver HSIA over multiple hardware platforms catering to specific hospitality segment needs. They are experts at providing the best possible guest experience with connectivity success rates exceeding 99.9%.

Internet technology improves constantly, thus Guest-Tek will provide the hotel with continual software upgrades including new features and enhancements. Version upgrades are fully managed and cause no interruption to the hotel network that delivers seamless value on a continual basis.

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto (at College and Yonge streets), the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto is just steps to many business, financial and government offices. Right in the heart of the Church Wellesley neighborhood, great shopping and entertainment options await travelers as well as some of the Toronto's finest restaurants on Yonge Street -- a trendy, high style avenue that's full of extraordinary experiences.

Thanks to the new Refreshing Business Lobby Concept design along with our HSIA upgrade, travelers are provided with the flexibility to work and socialize however they choose. Guests appreciate the fusion of high-tech in high-style with a warm and inviting atmosphere from the moment they enter the hotel. There is flexible furniture for working, relaxing and socializing and the traditional front desk is replaced with separate Check-in-Pods to create more personal and private interactions when guests arrive. This will allow staff to move about to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance.

A signature element of the new lobby is the exclusive GoBoard^® technology, a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions. The lobby also boasts a 52" high-definition television above the fireplace where guests can watch sports, movies or news.

The Bistro with healthy food and beverage options proudly serves Starbucks® coffee, cocktails, wine and craft beers as part of the lobby experience. High-tech conveniences include HDTV in media pods and free Wi-Fi as well as a communal table.

The hotel in Church-Wellesley has 19 meeting rooms with a total of 13,500 square feet of meeting space to accommodate 20 to 400 people for a wide variety of social and business events. Other guest facilities and services include an indoor lap pool and whirlpool spa, 24 hour fitness center, guest laundry, business center and The Market™, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries.

The Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto is known for its location, value, friendly, warm and welcoming Associates and some of the most spacious rooms in Toronto.

For more information, or to contact the sales department call the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto directly at 416-924-0611, for reservations call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-847-5075, contact a travel agent or visit the web site at www.courtyard.com/YYZCY.